Sentate Passes DTV Delay Bill — Updated

The U.S. Senate passed a bill on Monday that delays the switch to digital TV by four months, and the House is expected to pass similar legislation by the end of the week. The transition from analog to digital television has been planned and in-progress for over six years, and would have taken effect on Feb. 17th. The switch to digital not only migrates TV to improved digital technology, but also moves transmitters to a new set of frequencies, thereby freeing up spectrum that has long been promised to public safety agencies for improved radio networks. TV broadcasters are conflicted by the delay until June 12th, since they don’t want to lose any viewers who may not have taken steps to continue receiving their programming, but many also have an economic interest in ending analog broadcasts on Feb. 17th, such as transmitter leases. There are estimates that 6.5 million American households are not equipped to receive digital broadcasts. Supporters of the delay say it will allow more time for the government to distribute vouchers for the purchase of digital converter boxes. Read more here. Update: On Wed. the 28th the House failed to approve a companion bill to delay the DTV transition, after Republicans objected to the Obama administration’s bill language. The House opponents say that delaying the transition would confuse consumers.